From Backpack To Briefcase: A Life Simplified

Back in the paper-filled nightmare I used to call my life, I would carry around binders and binders of papers, folders, and a five-pound, inch thick piece of metal I called a computer.

Thankfully, through technology I have been able to simplify my everyday grind and alleviate some serious back pain.

First of all, I’ve gone nearly paperless, carrying around only two folders of essential papers. All notes I take, documents I write, presentations I make, and anything else are kept on my computer and backed up into the cloud several times over.

Secondly, I replaced my brick of a computer with a slightly lighter but 30% thinner version of itself which allows me to proceed to step three (below).

A few years ago when I went backpack shopping I had to buy the biggest bag they sold to accommodate all of my binders, electronics, and chargers (along with some snacks). Tomorrow I switch to a far smaller, far lighter, and more protective (to my baby, my computer) laptop bag/briefcase made by Kensington. It’s got plenty of pockets, a ton of padding, and enough room to accommodate the few papers I still carry. So, my back will be feeling far better soon. What do you carry around every day? Leave it in the comments.

Michael Sitver is a technology insider who has been blogging about technology since 2011. Along the way, he's interviewed founders of innovative startups, and executives from fortune 500 companies, and he's tried dozens or hundreds of gadgets. Michael has also contributed to works featured in Newsday, The San Francisco Chronicle, and the associated press.
Michael also occasionally consults, and writes for Seeking Alpha and Yahoo News.